NFL: The Patriot Way still a guiding force for team

Sunday

Jun 30, 2013 at 6:00 AM

Rich Garven NFL

It’s become almost impossible to come to a consensus on anything in America these days other than we all agree to disagree on everything.

A rare exception occurred Wednesday when the Patriots released a shackled Aaron Hernandez. There was no public debate over the decision; no private grousing from football-first fanatics concerned about the future of the team’s productive offense and stable salary cap situation.

We collectively knew it was the only course of action, and no matter what ultimately occurs in a court of law with regard to the talented tight end and alleged murderer, that won’t change.

But there does seem to be a differing of opinion over whether this deadly incident is another black mark on the so-called Patriot Way.

It’s true the Patriots have aggressively marketed themselves as being a unique franchise during Robert Kraft’s tenure as owner, an organization that holds itself to a higher standard than the rest of the league. Whether you buy that is a matter of opinion.

That is the way the Patriots want to be viewed. It is also not be confused with the Patriot Way.

That approach is about adaptability, reliability and versatility. It’s about individuals doing their job for the collective good. It’s about fostering stability in a profession built on volatility.

It’s about performance on the field, not the way a team conducts itself off it.

This will be the latest test of the Patriots and their time-tested formula for winning games, which happens to be — as is the case with every professional sports team — their sole purpose for existing. They are unlikely to disappoint in that regard.

The Patriots open training camp in 25 days. They will do so without Hernandez, Wes Welker and, for the time being, Rob Gronkowski, but with all the resources necessary to continue a run of success that includes 10 AFC East titles, five Super Bowl appearances and three Lombardi Trophies in the past 12 years.

For starters, Bill Belichick is still the coach, and Tom Brady remains the quarterback. They have teamed up to go 136-39 (.777), making them the winningest coach-quarterback combo since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.

It’s a quarterback-driven league with coaching ranking a solid second, so check and double check.

Brady has all five starters returning on the offensive line. It’s a skilled group that will benefit from continuity, familiarity and improved health as many of the blockers were banged up last season yet still did a commendable job of opening lanes and sealing the pocket.

It’s also a pass-happy league, Brady having fully embraced the aerial philosophy while throwing for 4,000-plus yards five times in his career. But the Patriots were not one dimensional last season while scoring 557 points, the third-highest total in league history, and amassing a league-record 444 first downs.

They finished first in the league in rushing touchdowns, second in rushing attempts and seventh in rushing yards. Pro Bowl-caliber back Stevan Ridley returns along with Shane Vereen, who appears primed for a breakout season. They’ve been joined by bruising LeGarrette Blount and shifty Leon Washington.

So another reason for offensive optimism.

There are obviously some concerns as to who will catch passes from Brady as four of his top five top receivers from last season are no longer around.

Welker (118 catches) is in Denver, Brandon Lloyd (74) is unemployed, Danny Woodhead (40) is in San Diego, and Hernandez (51) is currently incarcerated. Gronkowski (55) is the lone returnee, and he’s expected to be sidelined for at least the summer while recovering from offseason arm and back surgeries.

But there’s no reason to think Gronkowski will be limited once he comes back. Having an All-Pro tight end as the foundation for your rebuilding project is an immense benefit.

He’s joined by veteran newcomer Danny Amendola, a proven No. 1 receiver in St. Louis who appeared in minicamp to be integrating himself into the system at a satisfactory rate; Aaron Dobson, a promising rookie with big-play potential; and holdover Julian Edelman, who had worked his way into the starting lineup last year before being submarined by injuries.

In other words, the cupboard has been rearranged. It is not bare.

As for the look of the offense, it could be the Patriots reduce their use of the two-tight end set. It is what it is.

Remember it was only a few years ago they were regularly lining up with four receivers, the tight end limited to cameo appearances. That’s the Patriot Way.

Defensively, the Patriots showed improvement over the second half of last season. That trend is expected to carry over to this year as a maturing unit that added some intriguing pieces through the draft and free agency has the makings of at least ranking in the top half of the league after checking in 25th last season.

And, lest we forget, the Patriots belong to the AFC East. It’s also home to the bungling Bills, hapless Jets and improved, but unproven Dolphins. Membership has its rewards.

What it means is not all, but a lot of people believe the Patriots are again going to be a contender come September.

Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com.

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